Dr. Naveed Elahi

The terrorists launched well-synchronized attacks in various areas of Balochistan, in which more than fifty people, including civilians and security forces, died on 25-26 August 2024. The gruesome incidents created great anxiety and distress among the people across Pakistan. As per details the attacks began on Sunday midnight, focusing on security personnel and civilians, especially those from Punjab. The militants blocked key roads, including the Coastal Highway, and attacked various facilities such as police and Levies stations.

Musakhail Executions: In Musakhail, militants killed 23 people after verifying their identities, primarily targeting passengers and truck drivers. They also set fire to 35 vehicles, including trucks loaded with coal and fruits.

Further Attacks: In Khadkocha, militants stormed a police station, took officials hostage, and set the premises on fire. In Kalat, militants attacked multiple locations, including a Levies station and a toll plaza, resulting in the deaths of 11 people, including law enforcement officials.

Militant Actions:

• In Lasbela, militants attacked a Frontier Corps camp in Bela, leading to the deaths of 21 terrorists during security operations. Several highways were blocked in Mastung, Kalat, Bela, Turbat, and Panjgur.
• The militants also destroyed a railway bridge near Kolpur, cutting off Quetta from the rest of the country, and blew up another track near Mastung, disrupting the rail link with Iran.

BLA’s Claim and Capabilities:

The outlawed BLA claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that the Majeed Brigade, including two suicide bombers, carried out the assaults. The BLA released images of the attackers on social media.

The coordinated terrorist attacks took place on the day Nawab Akbar Bugti was killed in 2006. Apparently Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Majid Brigade, as claimed by them, carried out these attacks. It shows the growing strength and capabilities of the BLA militant group that has demonstrated prowess to launch coordinated attacks in many areas at the same time. It also indicates that Baloch militants, though small in number, are better funded, equipped and trained now. They way they assimilate in the local populace and disappear after the attacks, it appears that they have gained greater support from the anti-government political forces and the local populace.   

Lackadaisical Intelligence: It is strange that the movement of such a big number of armed terrorists and their plans to launch multiple attacks remained unnoticed by the intelligence agencies. If there was a credible foreknowledge of these incidents, the same should have been shared with the law enforcement agencies to foil the plans and prevent the enormous loss of precious lives. In any case there should have been high alert on the death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti because every year the BLA terrorists unleash violence on this day.  

BLA-TTP Nexus: It is worth noticing that Musakhel, where the Punjabi passengers were offloaded from buses and shot in cold blood, is Pushtun dominated area of Balochistan. More than 85% people are Pushto speaking. It is not convenient for the Baloch militants to operate in a large group to attack the bus carrying Punjabi passengers, unless they have the support of TTP militants. BLA’s coordination with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and IS cannot be ruled out.  

It goes without saying that there is a need to have a holistic counter terrorism strategy to tackle terrorism and insurgency in Balochistan. A stitch in time saves nine. Blood curdling statements after bloody incidents do little to ameliorate the situation. A few recommendations are given below which can help mitigate the situation:

1. Enhanced Intelligence Gathering and Surveillance:
   1. Strengthen Intelligence Operations: It is imperative to improve intelligence gathering, particularly in regions known for insurgent activities. The movement of a large number of armed terrorists should not go unnoticed. Investment in both human intelligence (HUMINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) should be prioritized.
   1. Real-time Data Sharing: Establish a more robust framework for real-time intelligence sharing between intelligence agencies and law enforcement to quickly disseminate credible threats and coordinate responses effectively.
2. Pre-emptive Measures on Key Dates:
   1. Annual High-Alert Protocols: Given the historical significance of certain dates, like the death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti, a high-alert status should be automatically enforced across Balochistan. This includes increasing security personnel, deploying rapid response teams, and conducting pre-emptive operations to neutralize potential threats.
   1. Routine Security Drills: Regular drills and simulations should be conducted with security and law enforcement agencies to ensure preparedness for large-scale coordinated attacks.
3. Community Engagement and Collaboration:
   1. Local Community Involvement: Engage with local communities and tribal leaders to foster trust and collaboration, as they can provide valuable insights and early warnings about suspicious activities or movements of militant groups. It is imperative to trace out the facilitators and sleeper cells that support and provide shelter to the militants.
   1. Public Awareness and Welfare Campaigns: Launch campaigns to educate the public on identifying and reporting suspicious activities. Encouraging citizen participation can act as an additional layer of surveillance.
4. Counterterrorism Operations:
   1. Targeted Military Operations: Conduct focused counterterrorism operations against known BLA strongholds and operational bases. Neutralizing key leaders and dismantling their operational networks should be a priority.
   1. Disruption of Supply Lines: Efforts should be made to cut off the financial and logistical support that the BLA receives, whether domestically or from external sources. This includes tracking and blocking funding channels and arms supplies.
   1. Strategy to Stop Assassinations of Non-Locals: The non-locals, like Punjabi workers, should be provided full security. The buses carrying these passengers should be well-guarded.
5. Technological Integration:
   1. Surveillance Technology: Implement advanced surveillance technologies such as drones, satellite imaging, and AI-powered monitoring systems to track the movement of militant groups and preempt their plans.
   1. Cybersecurity Measures: Given the BLA’s use of social media for propaganda, strengthening cybersecurity measures to monitor, intercept, and take down their communication channels is essential.
6. Inter-agency Coordination:
   1. Unified Command Structure: Establish a unified command structure to streamline decision-making and ensure that all agencies involved in counterterrorism operations are working under a single, cohesive strategy.
   1. Regular Coordination Meetings: Conduct regular meetings between military, police, intelligence agencies, and local authorities to assess ongoing threats and adjust strategies accordingly.
7. Addressing Root Causes:
   1. Socioeconomic Development Programs: Parallel to security measures, launch initiatives aimed at improving the socioeconomic conditions in Balochistan to reduce local support for militant groups. This includes job creation, education, and infrastructure development.
   1. Dialogue with Tribal Leaders: While the government has ruled out talks with the BLA, initiating dialogue with other influential tribal leaders and groups in Balochistan may help isolate the BLA and reduce their influence.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation:
   1. Performance Audits: Regularly audit the effectiveness of intelligence and security operations to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
   1. Post-Incident Reviews: Conduct thorough reviews after each incident to learn from any operational failures and refine future response strategies.
9. Special Strategy for Gwadar:

• Gwadar: It is flagship project of CPEC. The protests should not be ignored. Their demands should be met. Local population should be provided business and job opportunities so that foreign hands cannot misuse them.
• Other areas:  There have been demonstrations in Turbat too. Hearts and minds policies should be implemented to solve their genuine problems and demands.

10. New Anti Terror Laws:

• Efficient legal framework should be devised to penalize the militants through courts. It will help solve the issue of enforced disappearances.

The need is to have a well devised plan and counter terrorism strategy to tackle the situation in a systematic and sustained manner. Knee-jerk reactions by the high-ups after every incident can result in greater fiascos and at times grave human rights violations. The realities and more importantly perceptions should be understood properly and addressed judiciously.

The author is Chief Editor of The Strategic Brief